GE Files Second Lawsuit Against Competitor

SonoSite Inc. calls suit "baseless and without merit."

By: Michael Barbella

Managing Editor

General Electric Co. has filed a second patent infringement lawsuit against a Seattle-area company that produces handheld ultrasound products.

SonoSite Inc. said in a press release Tuesday that its management believes the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, is “baseless and without merit.” GE produces medical imaging equipment at its GE Healthcare Technologies division in Waukesha.

“We strongly believe that there is no legal basis for this lawsuit and we will proceed firmly ahead to defend our legal rights,” said Kevin Goodwin, SonoSite president and CEO, in a statement.

On May 15, General Electric filed a lawsuit against SonoSite, alleging that SonoSite ultrasound products infringed on GE patents. GE is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction.

In July 2007, SonoSite of Bothell, Wash., filed a counterlawsuit after GE sued SonoSite on May 15, 2007, alleging that SonoSite ultrasound products infringed on GE products. In an Aug. 17 amendment to its July countersuit, SonoSite alleged that GE, of Fairfield, Conn., infringed on additional SonoSite patents.

GE’s current lawsuit, filed May 22, seeks to invalidate a patent SonoSite holds on a hand-held ultrasound instrument.

SOURCE: The Business Journal (Milwaukee)

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Medical Product Outsourcing Newsletters